Ipsos Scores High

Global agency Ipsos has reported a significant increase of 46% in 2001 revenues to reach EUR480.2 million. These results mean that Ipsos now ranks as the third largest company in the worldwide survey based market research sector, tied with TNS, behind the Kantar Group and NFO.

The group turned in organic growth of 8.0%, twice the rate of the worldwide research market, estimated at around 4% for 2001. Ipsos reported operating profit of EUR36.9 million for the year, an increase of 53% on 2000. Operating margin represented 7.7% of total revenues, an increase of 0.4 base points on 2000. Ipsos' net income reached EUR17.3 million, up 41%.

The company's financial costs (EUR8.8 million) reflected its aggressive acquisition strategy in 2001, which included the purchase of NPD's Marketing Research Division for USD120 million. Other acquisitions included the integration of Mora y Araujo (Argentina, marketing and public opinion), Search Marketing (Chile, marketing and media) and Marplan (Brazil, marketing and media), acquisition of Demoskop in Poland, acquisition of the assets of Riehle Research of Washington D.C. allowing the group to open a new Public Affairs and Polling division in the United States and the acquisition of Paris-based Novaction, a company specialised in marketing research and consultancy with operations in Europe, Japan and Korea.

The latest acquisitions (a 40% stake in the Swedish company IMRI and creation of Ipsos-Imri, a company dedicated to marketing and communication research; extension of Ipsos-Stat activities to Saudi Arabia) will be included in the group consolidated results starting January 1st, 2002.

The core strategy of the group lies in actively continuing to develop and launch new products and services in each of its five areas of specialisation. The group is also strengthening its regional leadership teams, most recently with the appointment of Jean-Michel Carlo as head of Ipsos Europe. Richard Mecchi has also been appointed as head of the newly created regional management structure Ipsos Asia, effective beginning of April 2002. Mr Mecchi was previously North Asia regional director of Taylor Nelson Sofres.

For 2002 the goal is to maintain a high organic growth of at least 8%, and by 2005-2006, revenues of EUR1 billion and an operating margin of 10% is anticipated.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.